You will need someone with a digger to both clear the site, which may involve very little work or a large amount of excavation if your site is sloping and you want a level one to build on, and to dig foundations. The actual work that has to be carried out will be set out by your engineer, surveyor or project manager.
In order to prevent damage to underground services, the final external drainage systems including treatment and discharge of the foul and surface water are usually left until all the heavy plant, equipment and machinery has left the site. The digger operator will complete the drainage, backfilling, laying clean hardcore or gravel on the driveway and tidying up the landscaping.
What they do & don’t do
- They will excavate the foundations and any preliminary drainage and also form the access to the site along with any bunding needed to prevent pollution from contaminated water runoff.
- They are not usually involved with the pouring of the foundations but can help to reach areas which the concrete lorry cannot.
- They may or may not own the digger; in both cases the cost of the digger is likely to be separate to their own labour cost. You may have to hire the digger yourself, which can cost in the region of £120/€150+ a day, so check this in advance and organise it if needs be.
- They are only there to carry out the excavation; where to put all of the earth/stone/vegetation will have to be planned in advance so you can tell them where to dump it. In some cases you will be sending material off site and you will need to plan for this in advance.
- They will also spread any hardcore for hardstandings required for safe access for plant and equipment such as delivery trucks, scaffolding, etc.
Qualifications
Plant and machinery operators should have an up-to-date Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) card, either as a Trained Operator (red card) or a Competent Operator (blue card). There are no set qualifications but the operator will have to be experienced. You will usually find the tradesman through word of mouth locally.
How are they paid?
By the day, based on an hourly rate. Digger rental cost is extra.
It can depend on what part of the country you are in, but carpenters and joiners are often labelled under the general term joiner or even chippie. When the roof structure has been erected, the tiles, slates or cladding can be fitted by a specialist roofer, but more often than not, this work is carried out by the carpenter/joiner. Some specialist roof coverings, e.g. green roofs, will be installed by the company from which you buy the roof covering materials. In most cases you buy the roof covering yourself for the joiner to fix. Some roof types such as green roofs require a specialised company to design and fit the product, which may have structural implications for the supporting roof structure.
Technically speaking a joiner builds things by joining pieces of wood, such as doors, windows and stairs and often works out of a workshop (as a bench joiner) but can also be found on site, depending on the processes required. The carpenter, meanwhile, cuts, shapes and installs timber to make roofs, floors and timber frames, and fits components such as skirting boards, architraves, doors and windows, during the construction of the building. Both professions can be responsible for cabinetmaking and furniture building, e.g. kitchen units and wardrobes.
What they do & don’t do
- Once the block layer is up wall plate level, the carpenter or joiner will begin work on preparing for the roof and making temporary stairs if they are needed; make sure this is part of the agreement if they are necessary.
- When the roof structure has been erected, the tiles, slates or cladding can be fitted by a specialist roofer, but more often than not, this work is carried out by the joiner. Again, always clarify from the get-go what you expect from the tradesmen and to what specification.
- At the appropriate stages during construction works, the joiner or steelwork contractor if there is one, may be needed to erect temporary works such as hoarding or safety fencing and propping or shoring to walls, floors, excavations or embankments.
Qualifications
Experience is the main thing to check for but carpenters will need to have completed training during their apprenticeship to achieve NVQ and/or City and Guilds qualifications. In ROI, an apprenticeship under the Statutory Apprenticeship system, leading to a qualification at level 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, is the recognised way that people are trained and qualified in their trades.
How are they paid?
They will often charge for labour plus materials for either you to source or for them to find. Most tradespeople prefer regular cash payments but this practice has been greatly diminished by the recent health crisis and it is now much more common to transfer money electronically. Whatever the method, it is up to you the self-builder to find out when payments and deposits are required, to keep labour and materials paid up to date and to avoid delays.
A competent person will oversee the pouring and levelling of the foundation concrete. This is often the block layer who will then begin to build the footings, sumps and bases after the concrete has cured. Someone, ideally the plumber, will need to ensure that waste pipes and services ducts are correctly installed through footings and subfloors. Usually it is the block layer who is given the next job of fitting the radon barrier and/or the dampproof membrane. Following on, the block layers or bricklayers will come back and build up the walls to wall-plate level.
The solid ground floor insulation and floor screeds can be installed by a specialist subcontractor, especially where liquid pumped anhydrite screeds are used, but the traditional sand/cement screed can be brought on site ready mixed and levelled by anyone competent, e.g. the block layer. The block layer may be also be involved with building fuel tank stands and external walling where necessary.
What they do & don’t do
- Oversees the foundations and lays the blockwork and may install board insulation but check with them first if they have experience in doing this; the insulation installation may come at an additional cost. Pumping the cavity walls with beads is done by a specialist company.
- Usually organises equipment: cement mixer and related hand tools but check in advance and make arrangements if not. In the case of pouring of foundations, the self-builder usually arranges for the cement truck with the mix having been specified by the engineer who designed the foundations.
- Materials are usually bought by the self-builder based on block layer’s shopping list: bags of cement, sand, blocks, wall ties, lintels, wall capping.
Qualifications
Mostly based on experience but they will need to have completed training during their apprenticeship to achieve NVQ and/or City and Guilds qualifications. In ROI, an apprenticeship under the Statutory Apprenticeship system, leading to a qualification at level 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, is the recognised way that people are trained and qualified in their trades.
How are they paid?
A fixed rate for the job, often based on a day rate, plus materials.
Plumber is a catch all term to describe the person who deals with the installation of all plumbing and heating. This includes water softener systems for hard (limescale) water, and pumps to increase water pressure. At the foundations stage, they need to ensure that waste pipes and services ducts are correctly installed through footings and subfloors.
At first fix, (before plastering), the plumber will run the pipework for all water and wastewater services and for heating pipework as well. Where underfloor (water) heating is installed, the plumber will be required to fit the pipework and test it before the screeds are poured. At second fix phase, the plumber and electrician will install the heating system and fit all their final pipes, flues, sanitary ware and ductwork. Renewable energy systems would also be installed by the supplier during this phase.
What they do & don’t do
- They are only responsible for the pipework and installing appliances, so in an existing house this will usually include chasing (cutting) walls to run services and associated work and running services on new builds.
- If there is a main contractor the plumber may or may not ask that they deal with external aspects, e.g. sewage pipe vent or sewage connection to wastewater treatment system, manholes, etc. Specific responsibilities for each job need to be allocated before work starts.
- They will supply their own tools and ask you to pick the level of quality of materials but will generally supply them, e.g. copper piping versus plastic, same for fittings.
- Some plumbers will have specific brands of heating systems (heat pump, boiler) they work with while others will ask you to choose. They will usually supply the radiators and underfloor heating pipes unless you make a specific request.
- All sanitaryware, kitchen taps, etc. will be left for you to buy directly and for them to fit.
Qualifications
Plumbers in NI should be members of a recognised trade body such as the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE); or be employed by a member of the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF). In ROI, look for a member of the Association of Plumbing & Heating Contractors of Ireland (APHCI). In both areas, by law gas fitting requires certification which not all plumbers will have, so this also must be checked if installing a gas boiler, gas cooker or other gas appliance. Check the Registered Gas Installers register in ROI and the Gas Safe Register in NI.
How are they paid?
Upon completion of key stages, usually at first and second fix and upon final commissioning (testing) that the systems work.
Electricians, along with gas installers, are the two professions that are strictly controlled by the authorities. Electricians deal with running electrical cables for your lights, sockets, and any fixings or appliances that require an electrical input, e.g. ventilation or heating systems. They also deal with broadband cabling in the home. At the first fix phase their preliminary work will include running the cables. Progressing to the second fix they will work with the plumber to install the heating system and fit all their final pipes, cables, vents, extract fans and associated ductwork.
What they do & don’t do
- They can advise on where to locate lights and sockets but will not usually draw up a plan for you. Your architectural designer is likely to be able to help in this regard; specialist lighting companies may have their own designers who will be able to draw up a lighting plan for you.
- They run all cables, fit the fuse board, install RCDs and other safety points.
- Liaise with the electricity network operator for the fitting of the meter, but it is the network operator who does the installation. Electricity cables from the pole to the meter is also done by the network operator.
- Liaise with the plumber for any of their requirements, e.g. room temperature controls/stats.
- Organise outdoor lighting and electrics along with any temporary connections you might need for the build.
- Electricians will usually have everything they need and will sort out their own materials after confirming what level of quality is required, but the rest of the materials will generally be left to you to organise, e.g. light switches if not the standard uPVC, light fixtures, etc.
- Some electricians can specialise in the design, specification and installation of ‘smart’ wiring and wireless controls systems.
Qualifications
In NI, electricians must be qualified to the current edition of BS7671 (the Wiring Regulations) and be a Registered (Installation) Electrician, holding the appropriate Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) card. In ROI, your electrician must be a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) with the Register of Electrical Contractors Ireland (RECI). They are subject to spot inspections by the authorities.
How are they paid?
Upon completion of key stages, usually at first and second fix and upon final commissioning (testing) that the systems work.
The trade consists of mixing plaster and applying it as a wall finish, either internal or external. The most common type for the internal finish is gypsum based and for external finishes, cement based. Alternatives include lime and clay for both external and internal applications. Pre-mixed plasters and renders are becoming more common, providing convenience and better consistency of the batches.
Their job is not one that requires regular visits to site; the internal plastering is completed in one go, as is the external plastering although these will be applied in a number of layers.
The first layer of internal plastering generally comes just after the external windows are installed. The plasterer will skim (apply a thin layer of plaster) internal walls and ceilings and after the drying out period the joiner will lay timber floor finishes and the kitchen suppliers will start to fit out the kitchen and utility room. Fixing the skirting boards, architraves and other decorative trim is best left until after all ‘wet’ trades (plastering, tiling, spray painting, etc.) are finished.
What they do & don’t do
- They will have their own tools which are specialised for their trade and should maintain their own equipment. This includes hand tools and mixers for the plaster, dust sheets, etc. They are likely to give you quantities of material they need for you to source from the builder’s merchant and arrange to have on site for the day they come.
- They will plaster around vents and windows but are in no way involved with fitting these.
- They may install plasterboard although the joiner would often take on this task; if the finish is drylining then the plasterers are more likely to take on the task as it requires attention to detail.
Qualifications
They will need to have completed training during their apprenticeship to achieve NVQ and/or City and Guilds qualifications. In ROI, an apprenticeship under the Statutory Apprenticeship system, leading to a qualification at level 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, is the recognised way that people are trained and qualified in their trades.
How are they paid?
Payment is usually upon completion of work having been completed satisfactorily. Most tradespeople prefer regular cash payments but this practice has been greatly diminished by the recent health crisis and it is now much more common to transfer money electronically. It is also essential to know who works for whom; for instance, will each trade pay their own labourers, or will some expect you to foot the bill?
The tiler will install the tiles you choose in your home, usually only for the internals, so for rooms like the bathroom, kitchen, hallway any other areas you wish to have them. Whilst they will start working in your house as the second fix stage, consult with them early on in the process as they will have seen most configurations, room sizes and sanitaryware placement, and should be able to guide you as to what kind of tiles to get, in terms of size but also depth as this will need to be figured out before the floor is in place so there are no issues with tiles kicking against doors. Room sizes and placement that require minimal cutting are usually best.
What they do & don’t do
- They will not design your bathroom but will be able to give you advice as to what kind of tiles to choose and this may have a knock-on effect on the design.
- They will prepare the tile adhesive and grout to fix the tiles in place. They are not involved with building subfloors but may put in a levelling compound where one is needed.
- They will supply basic materials such as grout and adhesive, and will have their own tools, but you will supply the tiles.
Qualifications
They will need to have completed training during their apprenticeship to achieve NVQ and/or City and Guilds qualifications. In ROI, an apprenticeship under the Statutory Apprenticeship system, leading to a qualification at level 5 to 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, is the recognised way that people are trained and qualified in their trades.
How are they paid?
At the end of the job, for labour plus materials.
Specialist tradesmen usually come in the form of a company that sells the product and installs it for you because the installation requires expertise in that specific product line. Basically anything that’s not a DIY job.
So for instance if you plan to install a stove you are likely to buy it from the same company that will fit it, as there are both building regulations to follow and specific guidelines from manufacturers. Same goes for specialist insulation products, the main ones being spray foam, EPS or external wall insulation – if you install these the company you buy the product must also install it as they are trained to do so (equipment and know how required). Usually these companies are licenced to use a specific brand and a condition of the manufacturer supplying the brand is to train the employees in correct installation, and maintenance.
There are many other examples where specialist trades are desirable or essential, such as the erection of timber frame and SIPs structures, passive house construction, working with environmentally friendly materials such as stone, cob, hempcrete, straw bales, earth walls, etc., the installation of structural composites and glass products, metal work including steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, cast iron, etc., security systems, mechanical and renewable energy systems, special acoustics, stairs, self-levelling screeds, terrazzo, water recycling, etc.
To a lesser extent polished concrete is another example although you would commonly get the concrete poured by a specialist company, based on the specification from the polishing company which will polish it for you.
Same goes for ventilation systems: the company you buy the kit from usually installs the ducting for you, and checks the system (commissioning). Note in ROI the latest round of the building regulations requires that commissioning for ventilation systems be done by an independent person, usually an energy assessor. In NI it is still common practice to have the company check the system and not involve outside expertise – but they still need to certify it.
Heating systems, even heat pumps, are usually installed by your plumber who will train with the manufacturers directly on how to use their products although there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, a ground source heat pump would involve a number of trades.
What they do & don’t do
They usually both supply the materials and kit, as well as the labour. You could ask how much DIY you can do to save on the quotation.
Qualifications
Experience is the main thing to check for here – the company’s credentials and level of service as well as what documentation they will give you at the end of the job to certify compliance with the building regulations, where relevant. Check for warranties but read the fine print.
How are they paid?
Depending on the project they can be paid in stages or all at once upon satisfactory completion.